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Molecules: You'd better learn to live with them.
July 29, 2008
Category: Drugs
As I mentioned yesterday, derivatives of arylethylamines - phenethylamine in particular - are drug targets in depression, but a sophisticated mechanistic understanding remains elusive. When you have some idea what molecule you'd like less of, a favorite trick is to...
Posted by Molecule of the Day at 7:51 AM • 7 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 28, 2008
Category: Drugs
An aromatic ring, two carbons, and a nitrogen will get you a lot of places.From hallucinogens to decongestants to speed, the arylethylamine moiety works because it tickles neurotransmitter receptors. The effects of the assorted monoamine neurotransmitters are as varied as...
Posted by Molecule of the Day at 1:14 AM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 24, 2008
Choline is an ubiquitous vitamin. Interestingly, it makes a number of "deep-melting eutectics" with other dirt-common chemicals like Urea....
Posted by Molecule of the Day at 11:58 PM • 2 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 23, 2008
Category: Synthesis
A lot of reactions with nucleophiles' rates are determined by how good a leaving group you have. For leaving group reasons and others, DMAP is a great organocatalyst:...
Posted by Molecule of the Day at 12:22 AM • 0 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 18, 2008
Category: Inorganic
As was mentioned in the comments to my entry on a refrigerant Monday, what we use has changed quite a bit over the years. If you don't know how a fridge or AC works (they're the exact same thing), here's...
Posted by Molecule of the Day at 11:09 PM • 5 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 14, 2008
Category: Inorganic
I really, really love refrigeration. I will go so far as to say that it's the most important invention of the modern era. More than internal combustion, nuclear bombs and power, or electrification, refrigeration defines the US. If you're like...
Posted by Molecule of the Day at 11:09 PM • 11 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
July 2, 2008
Dimethyl fumarate is a fungicide and sensitizer:...
Posted by Molecule of the Day at 10:00 PM • 1 Comments • 0 TrackBacks
